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MASKS FOR KIDS (click on the "Masks" tab for results)
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Masks can vary wildly in performance. Here, we compile a list of masks for kids that have satisfied the ASTM Standard for Barrier Face Coverings or that include a filter layer than spans the mask. For additional information on masks, see CDC’s guidance to Improve How Your Mask Protects You and our Aerosol FAQ, section 7 on masks.
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The most important factors to consider are
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1) Comfort. If your kid won’t wear the mask because it’s uncomfortable or hard to breathe through, then it’s not helping.
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2) Fit. The mask should fit tightly with no gaps. Gaps are most common at the sides of the cheeks and around the nose. If there are gaps, air can easily pass through them rather than the mask material, so viruses will, too. A bendable nose bridge is key for ensuring a good fit.
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3) Filtration. Certain materials, such as meltblown non-woven polypropylene used in surgical masks and high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, are designed to remove small particles. They do this not by sieving out particles but rather by mechanisms that make particles collide with and stick to the fibers of the material. Here's a nice visualization of how masks work: Masks Work. Really. We’ll Show You How.
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Masks are categorized below according to our judgment, based on a combination of effectiveness (lab performance + real-world use) and kid-friendliness. We are parents of kids ages 4-13 and experts in virus transmission, aerosol science, and mask performance.
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GOOD
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Any cloth or surgical mask, without attention to material and fit, is better than no mask.
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BETTER
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(a) A tight-fitting cloth mask with a high-quality filter can be effective. The filter should be large enough to span the mask. Smaller filter inserts are less effective because it is easier for air to flow around them rather than through them.Masks that meet the ASTM F3502 standard are tested for filtration efficiency, breathability, and leakage. The standard was introduced in spring 2021, so there are not a lot of masks in this category yet. Level 1: ≥20% filtration efficiency for submicron (0.1 μm) particles and airflow resistance ≤ 15 mm H2O. Level 2: ≥50% filtration efficiency for submicron (0.1 μm) particles and airflow resistance ≤ 5 mm H2O. Seek a mask with a higher filtration efficiency, lower airflow resistance, and less leakage.
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(b) Double mask with an ASTM-certified surgical mask and a tight-fitting cloth mask; or use an ASTM-certified surgical mask with a fitter, such as the Badger Seal Mask or Fix the Mask, to seal the mask to the face. A surgical mask is an excellent filter, but by itself fits poorly and leaks. The cloth mask or fitter is intended to improve the fit of the surgical mask.
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BEST
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a) A genuine KN95 or KF94 made to fit kids, or if you have big kids, there are some small-sized N95s that should work. KN95s and KF94s have very high filtration efficiency, like an N95, and are designed to seal to the face. Fit is critical! Aaron Collins has tested some of these for kids and reports results here. Counterfeiting can be a problem, and unfortunately we do not have information about reliable brands.
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If you have suggestions for other kids' masks that follow the ASTM 3502 standard or that include a filter, to add to the list, please submit them at
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfrfsZhslFC7MHcmXLmU9rU5R5s_C_vQp3C_wvE1o78jmNrlw/viewform?usp=sf_link.
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Aaron J. Prussin, II, Ph.D. (@ajprussin on Twitter)
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Linsey C. Marr, Ph.D. (@linseymarr on Twitter)
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Civil and Environmental Engineering
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Virginia Tech
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